Harpsichord

I will be tuning and servicing a new (to me) harpsichord at a church for their Lenten programs.It is a Sabathil & Sons single with 2X8', 4' and lute. The serial is 1457 and the year 1969.

The 4' and one of the 8' are activated with knee paddles and the second 8' with a hand lever. It seems to be out of adjustment and not shifting correctly.

It also has a wound bass string that is broken at the eye. I will be trying to see if I can splice a new eye on for the program but would like to replace it eventually.

The 2 questions that I have are as follows:

1. Does anyone have any information that would help me know what to look for in adjusting the register shifts. I would also like to get a stringing schedule so I know what wires were used incase another breaks. I have asked them to check to see if the church has any documentation.
2. Where would I go to get a replacement wrapped string of this small a dimension? I don't know what the core/wrap size is as of yet, but the only place I have seen such small strings are on hammer dulcimers.

Thank you.

Of all harpsichord makers, Sabathil is the most unfortunate. The instrument may be beyond repair.

For example, Sabathil often used foam rubber cushions in the action. You can imagine the condition of fifty year old foam rubber.

There is a Facebook group "Revival harpsichords," for people who own harpsichords made with 20th century technology. You may find someone with Sabathil repair experience there.

Meanwhile, if you can get any function out of this instrument, consider it a victory.

I'm noticing in harpsichord group news, that inherited revival harpsichords are being given to churches, which probably have no idea what a monkey on the back they are adopting.

I will be tuning and servicing a new (to me) harpsichord at a church for their Lenten programs.It is a Sabathil & Sons single with 2X8', 4' and lute. The serial is 1457 and the year 1969.

The 4' and one of the 8' are activated with knee paddles and the second 8' with a hand lever. It seems to be out of adjustment and not shifting correctly.

It also has a wound bass string that is broken at the eye. I will be trying to see if I can splice a new eye on for the program but would like to replace it eventually.

The 2 questions that I have are as follows:

1. Does anyone have any information that would help me know what to look for in adjusting the register shifts. I would also like to get a stringing schedule so I know what wires were used incase another breaks. I have asked them to check to see if the church has any documentation.
2. Where would I go to get a replacement wrapped string of this small a dimension? I don't know what the core/wrap size is as of yet, but the only place I have seen such small strings are on hammer dulcimers.

Thank you.

Of all harpsichord makers, Sabathil is the most unfortunate. The instrument may be beyond repair.

For example, Sabathil often used foam rubber cushions in the action. You can imagine the condition of fifty year old foam rubber.

There is a Facebook group "Revival harpsichords," for people who own harpsichords made with 20th century technology. You may find someone with Sabathil repair experience there.

Meanwhile, if you can get any function out of this instrument, consider it a victory.

I'm noticing in harpsichord group news, that inherited revival harpsichords are being given to churches, which probably have no idea what a monkey on the back they are adopting.

I will be tuning and servicing a new (to me) harpsichord at a church for their Lenten programs.It is a Sabathil & Sons single with 2X8', 4' and lute. The serial is 1457 and the year 1969.

The 4' and one of the 8' are activated with knee paddles and the second 8' with a hand lever. It seems to be out of adjustment and not shifting correctly.

It also has a wound bass string that is broken at the eye. I will be trying to see if I can splice a new eye on for the program but would like to replace it eventually.

The 2 questions that I have are as follows:

1. Does anyone have any information that would help me know what to look for in adjusting the register shifts. I would also like to get a stringing schedule so I know what wires were used incase another breaks. I have asked them to check to see if the church has any documentation.
2. Where would I go to get a replacement wrapped string of this small a dimension? I don't know what the core/wrap size is as of yet, but the only place I have seen such small strings are on hammer dulcimers.

Thank you.

I will be tuning and servicing a new (to me) harpsichord at a church for their Lenten programs.It is a Sabathil & Sons single with 2X8', 4' and lute. The serial is 1457 and the year 1969.

The 4' and one of the 8' are activated with knee paddles and the second 8' with a hand lever. It seems to be out of adjustment and not shifting correctly.

It also has a wound bass string that is broken at the eye. I will be trying to see if I can splice a new eye on for the program but would like to replace it eventually.

The 2 questions that I have are as follows:

1. Does anyone have any information that would help me know what to look for in adjusting the register shifts. I would also like to get a stringing schedule so I know what wires were used incase another breaks. I have asked them to check to see if the church has any documentation.
2. Where would I go to get a replacement wrapped string of this small a dimension? I don't know what the core/wrap size is as of yet, but the only place I have seen such small strings are on hammer dulcimers.

Thank you.

Just a quick FYI regarding wound string replacement on harpsichords: Frank Schaff at Mapes made some wound stings for me back in 2016. I do not know if he is still at Mapes but I would contact them first if I needed wound harpsichord strings. I tired another source but the Mapes strings were the only ones that did not break.

I will be tuning and servicing a new (to me) harpsichord at a church for their Lenten programs.It is a Sabathil & Sons single with 2X8', 4' and lute. The serial is 1457 and the year 1969.

The 4' and one of the 8' are activated with knee paddles and the second 8' with a hand lever. It seems to be out of adjustment and not shifting correctly.

It also has a wound bass string that is broken at the eye. I will be trying to see if I can splice a new eye on for the program but would like to replace it eventually.

The 2 questions that I have are as follows:

1. Does anyone have any information that would help me know what to look for in adjusting the register shifts. I would also like to get a stringing schedule so I know what wires were used incase another breaks. I have asked them to check to see if the church has any documentation.
2. Where would I go to get a replacement wrapped string of this small a dimension? I don't know what the core/wrap size is as of yet, but the only place I have seen such small strings are on hammer dulcimers.

Thank you.